Mentioned by Citybase Apartments
29 Free Things to do in Edinburgh
"It’s hard to imagine a more picturesque market setting than this – Edinburgh Farmers’ Market looks right up at the city’s medieval castle. Every Saturday (9am–2pm) the blue and white striped awnings on Castle Terrace shade an excellent range of products: meat, seasonal fruits and vegetables, jams, chutneys, crusty bread, handmade chocolates and pies. Tasting samples are commonplace, so try before you buy from some esteemed suppliers including Puddledub Pork, natural organic producers Caurnie Soap and – for some famously good Scottish soft fruit – Tay Valley Fruits."
"I have friends who go to Edinburgh’s Farmer’s Market every week for meat or vegetables. It’s a great place to source local, sustainable food, cheese and produce. There’s a coffee van but this is a market for shopping, not for grazing, so go with a re-usable bag (or two) and plan your week’s eating while you browse."
"Fresh, seasonal produce awaits you at the award-winning Edinburgh Farmers' Market. This all year round market is open from 9am-2pm each Saturday in the shadow of the castle ramparts in Castle Terrace. Now in its 19th year the market is a staple amongst locals to support small businesses and vendors."
"This bustling market is popular among locals and tourists alike, and the place to go to for delicious street food or a sweet Sunday treat. Handmade soaps, jewellery, bags, children’s clothes, gourmet dog food, organic fruit and veg, fresh fish and game are a few of the things you can pick up here as well, making it one of Edinburgh’s most popular markets. Make sure to visit pretty Dean Village while you’re in the area!"
"Situated in Jubilee Gardens on the banks of the Water of Leith, Stockbridge Market has a rep as the second farmers’ market in the capital. But that doesn’t diminish the quality of the handcrafted creations and fresh ingredients sold here every Sunday (10am – 5pm). Goodies on offer include artisan cheeses, smoked salmon, jewellery, crafts, soaps, crêpes, melting marshmallows and even handmade dog treats."
"Equally worth a visit is Stockbridge Market, located in the leafy Jubilee Gardens on the banks of the Water of Leith. This market is a foodie’s paradise, with over 40 stalls offering a delicious array of international cuisine. You’ll find artisan patisseries and cake shops, delicatessens, fresh street food, seafood and much more."
"If you need somewhere to get out of the rain, or perhaps your kids need some new shoes after running theirs ragged all over Edinburgh, Ocean Terminal Shopping Center is the place to go. In addition to have regular stores, it has plenty of restaurants so you can grab a family bite to eat, and you can treat the toddlers and younger kids to a stop at a specialty shop like Build – a – Bear while you’re there."
"At the heart of Edinburgh's flagship waterfront regeneration, Ocean Terminal is a state-of-the-art leisure and retail complex designed by Sir Terence Conran. It boasts 45,000 sq m of shopping and leisure accommodation on three floors and 1600 car parking spaces. The mix includes more than 50 stores, bars and restaurants, a gym and a 12-screen cinema, not to mention stunning views over the Firth of Forth."
"Ocean Terminal is designed by Sir Terence Conran in the heart of Edinburg occupying 45000 sqm space for shopping and recreation. What makes it one of the best shopping malls in Edinburgh is that not only does it have more than 75 shopping stores such as Debenhams and Charlie Miller, but it as well as has bars, restaurants, and even a gym!. There is also a cineplex inside the mall with 12 theatres!"
"One of the smaller markets on the list, Leith Market has around 20 stalls and a friendly, laid back atmosphere. Here there’s an abundance of locally grown, fresh produce, including organic fruit and vegetables, artisan breads, smoked fish and much more. On the first Saturday of every month, the market also hosts a special Vegan Quarter where shoppers can buy a variety of vegan treats, from cupcakes to faux meat."
"A charming mixture of bread, cheese and soap, this bustling market has a large number or vegetarian and vegan friendly vendors. On a sunny day, it’s a fun and busy place to be. It’s positioned between Commercial Quay and the shore, perfectly situated between two areas of cafés and restaurants."
"The grounds of 17th-century Bonnington House, 10 miles west of Edinburgh, have been lovingly converted by owners and art patrons Robert and Nicky Wilson into a gorgeous, landscaped sculpture park. Meadows and woodland showcase works – many of them specially commissioned – by a clutch of Britain's leading artists, including Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Cornelia Parker and Nathan Coley, anchored by the the vast landscape sculpture Cells of Life by Charles Jencks. A varied events program includes tours every Wednesday at 10.30am."
"The beautiful grounds of a Jacobean manor house have been transformed by an art-loving couple, Robert and Nicky Wilson, into an impressive…"
"It was established during the seventeenth century and was the main parish church in Edinburgh from 1648 until 1952. It was named “Tron Church” because the temple was located beside a weighing beam (tron in Scots), which was normally used in the town's marketplaces, one of which was on the Royal Mile. In 1824 a great fire destroyed the bell tower, but it was reconstructed so well that visitors will hardly notice that it was built two hundred years later."
"Located at the east end of Princes Street, you’ll find the newest edition to Edinburgh’s shopping centres – St James Quarter. From beauty to clothing, electronics to footwear, this 4-storey centre covers 1.7 million square feet and includes restaurants, cafés, bars, shops, public spaces and leisure venues. A Roomzzz aparthotel where guests can stay for one night, one week, or even up to a year, as well as Edinburgh’s first boutique Everyman cinema will open during future phases."
"Today we explore more of the Old Town of Edinburgh, tour some of Edinburgh’s best museums, and visit picturesque Dean Village. Tour One of Edinburgh’s Best Museums"
"'So thanks to all at once and to each one, whom we invite to see us crowned at Scone.' This line from Macbeth indicates the importance of Scone (pronounced 'skoon') as the coronation place of Scottish monarchs. The original palace of 1580, laying claim to this historic site, was rebuilt in the early 19th century as a Georgian mansion of extreme elegance and luxury. The self-guided tour takes you through a succession of sumptuous rooms filled with fine French furniture and noble portraits."
"The magnificent Scone Palace stands proudly just two miles outside of Perth city centre. Steeped in Scottish history, Scone has welcomed many royal figures into its stately home over the decades. Most famously, the palace once housed The Stone of Scone, better known as The Stone of Destiny."
"The current residence of the Earl of Mansfield, Scone Palace (pronounced skoon ) is much more cheerful than the city's other castles."
"One of the trendiest coffee bars in the city, Thomas J Walls is certainly no eyesore, with a stunning brass and marble exterior that manages to be at once incredibly enticing and yet also strangely aloof. Previously one of the Old Town’s premium optometrists, the coffee shop elected to stay true to the building’s origins during its refurbishment, and so from the outside, it’s signs and décor still advertise itself as an upmarket optician while the inside features typically high ceilings and old-fashioned wood-panelled walls. The only hint it’s perhaps something else is the clever logo which blends spectacles with coffee cups and of course, a brief peek in the window, where you’ll often find clientele enjoying a cappuccino rather than fiddling with contact lenses."
"This old optician’s shop was converted into a cafe in 2016, but the owners retained its unique history by preserving the original shopfront and brass lettering. Furthermore, its funky logo perfectly fuses a monocle as a nod to the shop’s past and a cup of coffee."
"A photo posted by D♤niel ☜ 🐇 (@knusperfunk) on Feb 23, 2014 at 8:00am PST. This community-owned vegetarian café is a stalwart of Edinburgh’s alternative scene and offers great staples at budget prices. It’s usually also a reliable source for vegan cake."
"A photo posted by The Counter (@thecountered) on Aug 16, 2016 at 2:38am PDT. Initially just one police box in Morningside, The Counter has now expanded to include 2 more police boxes at the Tollcross junction and outside the Usher Hall, and a floating coffee shop on the Union canal!. Their most recent addition is the newly refurbished stationary barge, serving coffee from the canal straight onto the towpath."
"Immerse yourself amongst the hustle and bustle of Perth’s High Street from the comfortable confines of Dewberry Cafe & Wine Bar. Fine dining, plus home-baked cake, plus wine; what’s not to love?. Take a quick squint at their colour cocktail menu too!"
"Cafe Tabou is undoubtedly a unique place, where taste and good manners prevail. The professional service entails satisfying every wish of the customer."
"Just a few minutes from St Giles' Cathedral, Mono serves modern Italian-inspired fine dining from its restaurant at 85 South Bridge. "This place is awesome," wrote one reviewer, "I looked at the menu and thought interesting...I walked in and it changed my life." It currently has a rating of 4.8 (out of 5 stars) out of 160 Google reviews."